Marking & Labeling – DSTV NC Markings and DXF Labels directly from SOLIDWORKS

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Marking and Labeling – DSTV NC Markings and DXF Labels directly from SOLIDWORKS with the DSTV Assistant and SolidSteel parametric

Marking & Labeling – from SOLIDWORKS to Production
DSTV NC markings and automatic DXF labels for sheet metal parts – directly from SOLIDWORKS

Markings, powder lines, signatures – and automatically labeled sheet metal parts. The article covers two topics that have one thing in common: information that belongs on the part should get there automatically, without manual effort and without the risk of errors.

This is the third and final article of our Manufacturing Weeks series. If you missed the previous articles, you can find them here: Automated DSTV NC / NC1 and DXF Exports – an Overview covers profile detection, database management, and export options. DSTV NC Data from Weldments and STEP explains how to work with SOLIDWORKS Weldments, imported STEP files, and the Multi-Body problem.

DSTV NC Markings

Markings, Powder Lines & Signatures
Sketch Names & Block Types
Result in the NC File and Viewer

DXF Labeling

Automatic Labeling of Sheet Metal Parts
Templates and Position Numbers
Result in the DXF Export

Markings, Powder Lines & Signatures

The DSTV Assistant supports all three types of marking information that can be embedded directly into DSTV NC / NC1 files: markings (center punch marks), powder lines, and signatures. All three are defined at part level using standard SOLIDWORKS sketches – no additional tools or plugins required. The key is knowing how to name them correctly and what rules apply.

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Sketch Names & Block Types

Each type of marking is defined by the name of the sketch it is created in. The rules are straightforward:

Mark (or Mark_001, Mark_002, …) – appears as a KO block in the NC file, representing a center punch marking. The sketch must be a closed contour.
Powder (or Powder_001, Powder_002, …) – appears as a PU block in the NC file, representing a powder line. The same closed contour rule applies.
Signature (or Signature_001, Signature_002, …) – appears as a SI block in the NC file. The signature text is added using the standard SOLIDWORKS text feature and can either be typed manually or linked to a custom property – for example, a part position number.

Multiple contours can be combined within a single sketch, or spread across separate sketches with numbered suffixes – both approaches are fully supported. All markings must be created at part level, not at assembly level.

Marking sketches in SOLIDWORKS – Mark, Powder, Signature

Marking sketches at part level – named Mark, Powder, and Signature

Signature text linked to a custom property in SOLIDWORKS

Signature text linked to a custom property – fully automated for production workflows

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Result in the NC File and Viewer

After the export, the NC file clearly reflects all defined markings. Opening the file in a text editor, the three block types are immediately visible: SI for the signature, KO for the center punch marking, and PU for the powder line.

In the NC viewer, markings and powder lines are rendered on the 3D model and the signature is previewed exactly as defined in SOLIDWORKS. A reliable visual check before the data is handed off to the machine.

General information on the DSTV NC format is available on a dedicated page – including an illustrated white paper as a free PDF download:

Detailed Information on DSTV NC Data

DSTV NC markings and signature rendered in the NC viewer as 3D model

Markings, powder line, and signature rendered in the NC viewer

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Automatic Labeling of Sheet Metal Parts

Sheet metal parts like end plates are easy to mix up – especially when many similar parts are produced in large quantities. SolidSteel parametric solves this with automatic labeling: position numbers are written directly onto the part as part of the DXF export, ready to be applied in production – for example with a laser. No manual transfer, no risk of mix-ups.

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Templates and Position Numbers

The labeling is based on templates – one template per connection type, such as an end plate connection. Each template defines where the label is placed on the part and what information it contains.

The workflow involves a small but important detour: since the position number custom property does not yet exist at the time the template is created, it cannot be referenced directly in the SOLIDWORKS sketch text feature. The solution is to first create an intermediate user-defined property called Labeling, which references the position number property using standard SOLIDWORKS syntax. This property is then assigned to the text layer in the sketch.

Once the connection is created using the End Plate Tool and the template is applied, a position number update assigns the correct number to the part. A subsequent metadata rewrite transfers that number to the user-defined property – and the label appears on the part exactly as defined.

Label template for end plate connection in SolidSteel parametric

Label template for an end plate connection – position and text defined once, applied automatically

Position number written to end plate after metadata update in SolidSteel parametric

Position number written to the end plate after the metadata update

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Result in the DXF Export

The DXF export includes the label automatically – as long as sketch export is enabled in the export options. The generated DXF file is saved in the selected export folder, organized into subfolders by sheet metal thickness.

The label appears directly on the flat pattern of the part, ready for production. For larger projects with many different sheet metal parts in high quantities, this automation eliminates a significant source of manual effort and error – both in work preparation and on the construction site.

If individual parts are needed without a label, simply use the standard template without the labeling sketch. The choice is flexible and can be made per connection.

DXF export result with automatic label – end plate flat pattern with position number

DXF flat pattern with automatically generated position number label

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Marking & Labeling – from SOLIDWORKS to Production DSTV NC markings and automatic DXF labels for sheet metal parts – directly from SOLIDWORKS

Table of Contents

Markings, Powder Lines & Signatures

Sketch Names & Block Types

Result in the NC File and Viewer

Schedule an online product demo

Try the software free of charge for 7 days

Contact us

Automatic Labeling of Sheet Metal Parts

Templates and Position Numbers

Result in the DXF Export

YouTube: Products in action

LinkedIn: Updates for professionals

Facebook: News at a glance

Marking & Labeling – from SOLIDWORKS to Production
DSTV NC markings and automatic DXF labels for sheet metal parts – directly from SOLIDWORKS